Just wondering if anyone else is a parent to kids with special needs? My two oldest are on the autism spectrum. With that, comes a lot of stressful times and I used alcohol regularly to cope with the anxiety- but it had the opposite effect. I love connecting with other parents who are going through the same thing as me. Most of the moms in my ASD support group drink to cope with the added stress of everything that comes with the diagnosis- Id love to know if there are any parents on here (sober ones haha)…
Since I’ve been sober I also got an autism awareness tattoo- I’ll post a pic. The puzzle pieces represent my 2 boys (the international autism symbol) and they are also the swallows as they gain the skills and independence to spread their wings and fly 
Thanks for letting me share
15 Likes
None of my kiddos are on the spectrum, however I work in the field. I’ve done everything from in-home ABA, mod-severe public school, inclusion, transition to independent living, transition to work, job placement and support.
2 Likes
That’s great! I’m also a special education teacher, trained in ABA and a behaviour consultant 
It’s actually a bit crazy because there’s not much difference between my home and work life some days…
2 Likes
What country to you live in? I feel like the kids here don’t get much support going into high school- basically all of their government supports drop and we really struggle to find job placements and transition support for them 
I’m in northern California, we gave better programs available than the majority of the world but there is definitely still room to grow. I love your tattoo! I plan on getting a negative space puzzle piece
1 Like
Thank you 
It hurt like an SOB!! But so worth it. Now my boys look at it and ask which of the birds is them- so cute. Yes I love the watercolour look- so pretty! I’d love to see yours when you get it
My most recent employment was with www.meristem.pro which was influenced by ruskin mill in England.
1 Like
I actually have 3 boys- 6, 4, and 1- the two oldest are diagnosed and my youngest has been referred to the paediatrician because he’s not crawling, babbling, self feeding, etc. My middle got his dx at 2, so trying to be proactive. The early intervention they received has been life changing. They are like totally different people now- my oldest is going into grade 1 and he is doing amazing at school
2 Likes
My youngest was definitely developmentally delayed, he wasn’t talking at all at 2, not even a “mama” or “baba.” He had open heart surgery at 7 days old, he had very low oxygen levels when he was born. He still only hat about 10- 15 words at 3. But he caught up…
My kiddos are much older than yours, 14, 13, 12 and 10. Although they were cute when they were little like yours it was sooo much more work haha. Now they get themselves ready in the morning, pack their own lunches, help each other with homework… it gets easier I promise lol.
1 Like
Hi there
I work with young people with Autism, Learning Disabilities and associated challenging behaviour in a secure unit.
So it’s the children with the more extreme levels of behaviour.
I love it- all special individual people 
3 Likes
It’s interesting about girls- they say they’re massively under diagnosed for that reason as they’re able to copy their peers much better than boys so when they’re on the spectrum it’s often missed
4 Likes
Hey @Allicat388, we have a 26 year old daughter with aspergers. I’m so glad you started this thread. It can be lonely dealing with all of the stressors of aspergers/autism especially after they turn 18/22. No more talking to their Drs, no more helpful advice from their therapist, which ours promptly quit! (Said she was misdiagnosed) cant remind her to take her meds, go to Dr, dentist, eye dr, (she is an adult now and needs no more assistance) im hopeful someone else with a young adult on the spectrum will post. I work in the field as well and used alcohol to “help” with the stress. Which we all know only created more issues. Things are getting easier now that I have been sober. Wish I would have quit years ago.
1 Like
Hi @Becsta, our daughter also could hide it at school, great student great grades. Unfortunately when she became a teen the other students picked up on her quirkiness and the bullying started. It was so stressful when she came home from school. Keep up the amazing work! She wasn’t diagnosed until she was 17 and I had never even heard of aspergers. So glad they are diagnosing kids earlier. There’s lots of support out there if you need it.
2 Likes
my oldest has dyspraxia or the victorian name clumsy disorder, but hes 23 in two weeks and hes doing great great job and hes getting on well he is also deslexia which asnt hindered him he got full marks on his driving theory test, my other son who will be 21 this oct has anxiety prob he was going to university a couple years ago and he became very anxious and for the last two years he has worked with me in my landscaping business stays in his room alot and likes his bed hes very inteligent but just hasnt got the same work ethic as his brother , now im retired he has to go to the job centre and sign on worry about him when sheila and i are gone ,
2 Likes
I don’t think the positive behaviour change would have anything to do with the autism, though. Most kids have better behaviour once they get off those tablets.
️